Back from the Great Northwest: A Summary for Everyone

One month has passed since I returned from the Great Northwest! I hope these insights will be helpful to everyone. The Great Northwest Loop can be daunting for those who haven't done their homework. This article outlines the most worthwhile attractions on the Qinghai-Gansu Loop and what to steer clear of. My return from the Great Northwest has truly expanded my horizons, and I was surprised by how much I learned from a single trip! Below, I'll share my experiences as a novice in finding a tour group, for your reference! 1. Opt for Xining as your starting point rather than Lanzhou to reduce driving distance (approximately 300-400 kilometers less for Lanzhou departures). 2. Visit Hoh Xil instead of Erlangjian for Qinghai Lake. Erlangjian Scenic Area is costly and crowded, requires a ferry, and offers average scenery. 3. Avoid the Teahouse Salt Lake on bad weather days; it's just a pond of water. If possible, visit the Sky Mirror instead of Sky No. 1. 4. Highly recommend Dongtai Jiner Lake for a unique romantic experience, with beauty even on bad weather days. 5. Skip the ferry at Dacai Dan Emerald Lake; you can walk there in about 10 minutes. The fewer people, the better. 6. Take photos of the 315U-type Highway from the roadside, but never stop in the middle of the road. It may look dangerous, but it's not safe due to the high number of trucks. 7. Avoid ATVs or camels at the Water Yardan; it's expansive, worried you'll miss the time and not enjoy yourself. There are many mosquitoes in the evening. 8. Not recommended to visit Jiayuguan; take photos from a distance instead, as it's not cost-effective. You can capture the Son of the Earth and Boundless in the same shot. 9. The Mogao Caves tickets include the B ticket, but some do not. To see four more caves, use the Mogao Caves on WeChat Mini Program, enter your information, make an appointment in advance, and present a student ID. 10. Visit Mingsha Shan in the afternoon and go barefoot; it's comfortable. Always carry plenty of water; it's very dry. Don't miss the sunset at the Crescent Spring. 11. Choose between hotel and camping; adults often want both! Do activities first, then check into the hotel. The campsite offers a car to return to the hotel (camping tents only have public toilets, no bathing facilities, and importantly, your phone can't be charged). 12. Eat less on the road and maintain a sense of hunger; it helps with weight loss. Don't ask me why; there are many dry toilets (this is one that merges with nature) on the road. This trip was very enjoyable; the leader was humorous, and we had six people in the car, chatting and laughing all the way. The journey was long, but we didn't feel tired. When traveling, you still need to meet people on the same frequency, and I was very lucky this time. The Northwest is great, and I want to go again next time!